An auditory-masking-threshold-based noise suppression algorithm GMMSE-AMT[ERB] for listeners with sensorineural hearing loss

Authors:
Ajay Natarajan;John H. L. Hansen;Kathryn Hoberg Arehart;Jessica Rossi-Katz
Affiliations:
Robust Speech Processing Group, Center for Spoken Language Research, and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO;Center for Robust Speech Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering, Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science, and Callier Center (Speech and Hearing), School of Behavioral and Bra ...;Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO;Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO
Venue:
EURASIP Journal on Applied Signal Processing
Year:
2005

Citing 3
Cited 0

Discrete Time Processing of Speech Signals

Discrete Time Processing of Speech Signals
Evaluation of an auditory masked threshold noise suppression algorithm in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners

Speech Communication
Speech Enhancement Based on Generalized Minimum Mean Square Error Estimators and Masking Properties of the Auditory System

IEEE Transactions on Audio, Speech, and Language Processing

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Abstract

This study describes a new noise suppression scheme for hearing aid applications based on the auditory masking threshold (AMT) in conjunction with a modified generalized minimum mean square error estimator (GMMSE) for individual subjects with hearing loss. The representation of cochlear frequency resolution is achieved in terms of auditory filter equivalent rectangular bandwidths (ERBs). Estimation of AMT and spreading functions for masking are implemented in two ways: with normal auditory thresholds and normal auditory filter bandwidths (GMMSE-AMT[ERB]-NH) and with elevated thresholds and broader auditory filters characteristic of cochlear hearing loss (GMMSE-AMT[ERB]-HI). Evaluation is performed using speech corpora with objective quality measures (segmental SNR, Itakura-Saito), along with formal listener evaluations of speech quality rating and intelligibility. While no measurable changes in intelligibility occurred, evaluations showed quality improvement with both algorithm implementations. However, the customized formulation based on individual hearing losses was similar in performance to the formulation based on the normal auditory system.